Poul Henningsen designed hundreds of lamps based on the three-shade-system, which he developed in 1926. This design provided unequaled lighting quality for all types of needs. Many of Henningsen's lamp designs include a number that refers to the size of each fixture's shades. The PH 5/5 is described as a "whole-sized" pendant. It is characterized by its appealing compact appearance with a top shade of approximately 50 cm in diameter, which corresponds to the middle and lower shades in the proportions of 3:2:1. Henningsen’s whole-sized fixtures are designed to be particularly glare-free. Therefore, they're ideally placed high up in a room where they can provide great quality lighting and a cozy ambiance. The more widely known "hybrid" sizes, on the other hand, are designed to hang low and provide optimum lighting and a warm atmosphere—for example, above a table. The PH 3/2 is a hybrid size that combines a 30 cm top shade with the proportionally smaller lower shades from the PH 2/2. The whole-sized fixtures seem rounder than the slightly lighter hybrid sizes, making room fordifferent expressions while still being distinctly "PH." In addition to the variation in shade sizes and how they define the light quality and aesthetic of each fixture, Henningsen’s rational lighting system also considers the materials and surfaces of the lampshades in order to direct glare and shadows. In 1929, Henningsen combined beautiful and classic materials like copper and opal glass to further address various lighting needs by ensuring the very highest quality of light. Today, Henningsen’s whole-sized PH 5/5 elevates contemporary interiors with its special ray of elegant, modern, and classic Danish design—whether it is creating a cozy ambiance at home or taking high-ceilinged commercial spaces to new heights.